Study Abroad

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering encourages CSE majors to take advantage of study and research opportunities through the Education Abroad Program (EAP) and Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP). EAP programs are offered at over 140 institutions in 34 countries.  Please visit the Study Abroad UC San Diego office for more information.

Why Study Abroad?

Computer Science and Engineering is an interdisciplinary, innovative, and increasingly globalized field. The software and hardware that shape our daily lives are built by individuals and organizations across the world. Studying abroad as an undergraduate can prepare students to succeed in their careers with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore new cultures, experience new methods of teaching, engage with global research, and gain exposure to new ideas.

• Take advantage of unique academic, experiential, and coursework opportunities.
• Prepare for global industry by collaborating with computer scientists across the world.
• Become a better informed global citizen and learn from new viewpoints.
• Expand your resume and build cross-cultural communication skills that employers value.
• Gain a new perspective on the discipline of engineering while exploring a new place.

Want to learn more about the study abroad student experience? Read the stories of Study Abroad Returnees (STARs) Ambassadors here: The Student Perspective

When Should I Study Abroad?

All students should consult with their Undergraduate Major Advisor to discuss the timely completion of major requirements. If you are interested in studying abroad, we recommend that you schedule an appointment with your CSE major advisor, or stop by our drop-in advising hours to begin discussing your first steps to studying abroad. Visit our CSE Student Affairs Office Hours website for more information about how to connect with CSE Advising.

Most students study abroad during the spring or summer quarters; however, some students may choose to study abroad for an entire year! Many students aim to study abroad during their second or third year as an undergraduate, but some students may prefer to study abroad as a senior. 

Per the UCEAP’s FAQ website, please keep in mind that “if you plan to graduate upon completion of your study abroad program, it can take up to 90 days for UCEAP courses (and grades) to be posted to your UCSD academic record. This means there will be a delay in receiving your final transcript and diploma.  If you plan to attend professional school, graduate school or participate in any activity that requires proof of graduation, this is something to be aware of.”

We encourage students to start planning as early as possible, since most program applications require 6 - 12 months of planning in advance. If you’re excited about the prospect of studying abroad, contact a Study Abroad Advisor and check in with CSE Advising as soon as possible!

Can I Receive Transfer Credit Towards My Major?

Students may earn academic credit to satisfy CSE major or CS minor requirements, if approved by the CSE Department.  Please see the CSE Petition Process for more information about petitioning study abroad courses for CSE equivalency. There are no guarantees of approval on any petition. We recommend submitting “Pre-Approval” CSE Petitions for study abroad courses that you are interested in taking, so please be prepared to submit your CSE Petition before your study abroad departure to seek Pre-Approval.

* If approved, each course must meet all of the following minimum criteria (once posted to your UCSD academic history) to receive the specified UCSD Equivalency credit:

• UC transferable
• If the requested CSE course credit is upper-division, then the study abroad course must be posted for Upper Division credit.
• Course must be taken for a letter grade (may not be taken for P/NP)
• Must earn a C- or better

If all the criteria above are met, send CSE a VAC message after the course is posted to your UCSD academic history so we can apply the stated UCSD Equivalency credit to your computer science and engineering major accordingly.

Students can also consider reviewing the list of pre-approved CSE equivalent courses at study abroad institutions found here on our CSE Study Abroad website. Courses on this page have been pre-approved for CSE credit through their start & expiration terms. Please be mindful of the “Expiration Terms” for each course on the CSE Study Abroad page when planning your study abroad experience. If a course that you’re interested in taking has “expired” then you should plan to submit a new CSE Petition to request an evaluation of this course for CSE credit. There are no guarantees of approval on any CSE Petition, so please plan accordingly.

What Are My First Steps To Study Abroad?

• Visit the Study Abroad Department’s "Study Abroad in Engineering" website.
• Watch the "Study Abroad in Engineering" webinar.
• Follow the steps on the Study Abroad “Get Started” website to prepare to study abroad.
• Attend a Study Abroad Information Session in-person, if you're interested!
• Learn more about study abroad by reviewing UCEAP Application Deadlines, the UCEAP "How to Apply" website, and the Study Abroad website on Financial Aid & Scholarships.
• Carefully read the UCEAP’s Frequently Asked Questions to review common questions about the study abroad application process and experience.
• Think about whether you’d like to study abroad for the purpose of fulfilling college, GE, university, major or minor requirements and connect with your advisors accordingly.
• Connect with the Study Abroad office & advisors directly to explore available programs.
  • The Study Abroad Advising Services page outlines how to connect with a Study Abroad Advisor and provides an array of helpful resources for planning your study abroad experience. 
• If you are a CSE major, connect with a CSE Advisor to discuss your CSE study abroad plans and the Pre-Approval Petition process with your major advisor.
• Review the CSE Petition Process for more information about submitting a CSE Petition. 
  • If you plan to study abroad, we recommend submitting PRE-APPROVAL petitions prior to studying abroad, so that you will know if the courses you are petitioning will count towards CSE course equivalencies or your CS major requirements.

UCEAP Public Course Catalog